Licence to 'Hyde Out' at Edinburgh's Newest Bar Offering

LA White Leisure has spent more than a year securing permission to open in the heart of Edinburgh’s canal side Edinburgh Quay development.

The leisure group will now transform the building formerly occupied by a previous bar venture, Embark.

Councillor Jim Lowrie Convener of planning at Edinburgh Council said: “It is superb that permission has been granted for this venture to go ahead.

“The development and the regeneration of the Edinburgh Quay area is set to take off over the next few years and a bar venue such as this will be an added bonus, providing extra footfall and much needed vitality to the area. “

LA White Leisure was founded by Rory McWhirter and a silent partner. The young entrepreneur, a Heriot Watt graduate, will run the venue with manager Rowan Milne.

He added: “It has been a long process so we’re thrilled the licence has now been granted.

“It is an important moment for us, because the investment is in place, the concept is fully worked out and the design is complete.

“Now we can actually get on with the fit out and planning for a really special opening. This is going to be a bar that surprises a lot of people.

“The overall design is fantastic and we’ll be providing some quirky and surprising extras, so watch this space.”

Work begins on the venue this week and is set to open at the end of September.